Zima invites adjudicators

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
Organisers of the Zimbabwe Music Awards have sent out a call to potential adjudicators to avail themselves for ZIMA 2015. The move is in a bid to put together a credible adjudication panel. Speaking to The Herald Entertainment, ZIMA Public Relations and Marketing Executive Farai Chapoterera said the call was aimed at ensuring that the adjudication panel constitutes suitably qualified individuals with the right knowledge, experience and passion for music as well as the code of ethics required for this service.

“In 2014 we selected adjudicators based on our experience with various musical experts across the country. However, we believe that it would be enough for us to assume that we have knowledge of all experts that could serve as adjudicators for ZIMA, that is why we have launched this exercise. Our aim is to come up with a panel that fully represents the numerous music genres as well as the country’s regions,” she said.

She went on to say the advent of new genres in music has necessitated this drive as it will help the organisation identify suitably qualified judges to adjudicate these styles.

Part of the call for adjudicators released by ZIMA reads: “Suitable candidates must demonstrate in-depth knowledge of music particularly Zimbabwean music genres, production, instrumentation as well as the creative process.

“Ideal candidates will have experience in music in one or more of the following areas: production, academia, journalism, promotion/management, and performance.”

Applications open tomorrow and close on Friday May 15.

“Any applications received after the closing date will not be accepted, ZIMA prides itself on transparent, fair and accurate judging,

“Members of the adjudication panel will be closely scrutinised and required to abide by the ZIMA code of ethics while performing their duties as adjudicators,” she said.

Interested candidates can get more information from the ZIMA website, said Chapoterera.

Adjudication has been an issue of great contention with most awards ceremonies, as there have been questions regarding the choice of adjudicators and the nomination processes.